MTN Ghana has announced that it will adopt a phased approach to shutting down its 2G and 3G networks, in a move aimed at improving spectrum efficiency while ensuring no customer is left behind.
Speaking at the Digital Africa Summit in Accra, MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, explained that the transition will be gradual to allow subscribers enough time to migrate to newer technologies such as 4G.
Mr. Blewett acknowledged that despite the widespread availability of 4G services across Ghana, a large proportion of customers continue to rely on 2G and 3G.
“Despite the widespread availability of 4G, a lot of our customers are still on 3G. For some, it is about managing their data consumption, while others are constrained by devices that cannot support 4G,” he noted.
He added that many subscribers deliberately remain on the older networks as a way to control data usage, while others lack access to affordable 4G-enabled handsets.
While stressing that MTN’s long-term goal is to eventually switch off 2G and 3G to make way for more efficient use of spectrum, Mr. Blewett said the company is determined to manage the process responsibly.
“We cannot simply switch off 2G and 3G without ensuring that affordable 4G devices are within reach. Doing so would risk excluding a large number of Ghanaians,” he cautioned.
The gradual phase-out is part of MTN’s broader strategy to accelerate digital inclusion and strengthen Ghana’s telecom infrastructure. By encouraging wider adoption of 4G technology, the operator hopes to deliver faster speeds, more reliable connectivity, and improved digital services.
However, the transition will only move forward at a pace that ensures affordability and accessibility for all subscribers.
